Mic'ed Off: Giants Want No Part of MNF Mic Feature

After Jets quarterback Sam Darnold's remark about seeing ghosts was captured--and aired--the Giants are the latest team to decline permission to allow their quarterback to be mic'ed up.

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Rookie quarterback Daniel Jones might be getting used to the microphones he faces during his weekly press conferences. Still, one microphone he'd rather not have any part of is the one that players are sometimes asked to wear during a nationally televised broadcast.

“I feel like I’d rather just be thinking about the game, thinking about what I need to do and communicate with my teammates normally,” Jones said, adding that he's never worn a mic during a game at any level.

Jones isn't the only member of the Giants who wants no part of the in-game mic'ed up experience that networks like to offer their viewing audiences.

“I’d prefer they don’t,” said head coach Pat Shurmur. “I’m already on record; I’m not a big fan. I’m not a mic fan."

The use of an in-game mic has drawn more attention of late after Jets second-year quarterback Sam Darnold, who was mic'ed up for his team's Monday night game against the Patriots two weeks ago, was heard saying that he was “seeing ghosts.”

That remark was not only recorded but aired to the nationally televised audience, a move that embarrassed Darnold and infuriated the Jets organization.

“I believe that a lot of the communication that happens game day and in the heat of the moment, that should be a little bit sacred,” Shurmur said. “That’s why I don’t like it.”

Jones and Shurmur have bigger things to worry about than needing to watch what they say for fear that some ambitious outsider in charge of audio might betray the sacredness of the huddle and sideline.

New York will be looking to snap a four-game losing streak against the Dallas Cowboys, who are coming off their bye week.

For Jones, Monday night could be the first time this year he will have running back Saquon Barkley, tight end Evan Engram, and wide receivers Golden Tate and Sterling Shepard active for a game.

Shepard, who is still in the concussion protocol, was a full participant in Thursday's practice and will be able to play Monday night if he receives final clearance from an independent neuro consultant.

“Those are all really good players,” Jones said. “When you put them all together, there’s a lot of different things that we can do, a lot of different ways to attack. I think the guys who stepped in have played well throughout the season. But yeah, getting Shep (Sterling Shepard) back this week would help.”

The Giants will need all of the help they can get against the division rival Cowboys, who are 4-3 on the season and first in the NFC East.

In Week 1, the Giants lost to the Cowboys 35-17 despite outrushing Dallas, 151-89. The Cowboys dominated in the passing games, finishing with 405 yards to the Giants’ 319.

Jones, who wasn't named the Giants starting quarterback until Week 3, entered that first matchup of the season late in the game and only saw five offensive snaps.

In those snaps, he had three completions in four attempts for 17 yards.

Though his exposure to the Cowboys was limited, Jones said that it helps to have some experience against them.

“I think just being able to watch that game, the second time we play them, the second time we’ll run our offense against what they do, it’s helpful to be able to see that and learn from it,” Jones said.

“Just seeing our stuff, our offense against them and kind of how we match up and what certain looks look like against them,” Jones added. “I think all that stuff helps in being able to prepare the second time against a team.”

With Jones now firmly established at quarterback, he's well aware of the magnitude of the upcoming game.

“It’s a divisional game,” Jones said. “It’s an important game, it’s a big game, and I realize that there’s a rivalry element to the two teams playing, just in that they’ve been in the division and played for a long time. So, I’m excited to be part of that, and yeah, I think I realize it’s a big game.”

Jones also has to prepare for Dallas defensive end, Demarcus Lawrence, who earlier this week, dubbed Jones “another little Manning.”

Lawrence has 13 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles on the year so far.

“He’s a good player,” Jones said when told of Lawrence's comments. “They’re good up front, they’ve got a good pass rush, so I think we’ll have a good plan for it and going in we’re confident in being able to handle that. So, I think he’s a good player, they have good players up front, but I think we’ll have a good plan and we’ll be ready to go.”